Thunder NBA Championship History
After 17 seasons, multiple superstar departures, painful playoff exits, and a meticulous rebuild that tested the patience of fans and players alike, the Oklahoma City Thunder have finally reached the summit of the basketball world. On Sunday night, in a nail-biting, winner-take-all Game 7, the Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers to claim their first-ever NBA Championship, etching their names into the history books and delivering a long-awaited title to a city that has dreamed of this day for years.
In the immediate aftermath of the 104-99 victory at Paycom Center, players embraced one another on the court, some sobbing, others simply stunned into silence, overwhelmed by the magnitude of what they had just accomplished. For young stars Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, the emotions were raw and real.
“This moment wasn’t guaranteed,” Holmgren said during a post-game interview with NBC News, fighting back tears. “We weren’t promised anything coming into this league. Nothing was handed to us. We had to earn everything—every win, every possession, every bit of respect.”
The 7-foot-1 center, who missed his entire rookie year due to a foot injury, returned this season with determination and purpose. Throughout the Finals, Holmgren’s elite shot-blocking, perimeter defense, and offensive versatility gave Oklahoma City a critical edge, especially in a series that saw multiple lead changes and momentum swings. In Game 7, he posted 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks—including a crucial rejection of Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton with under two minutes left in regulation.
For Holmgren, the championship win was not just about basketball—it was about resilience.
“Last year I was sitting on the sidelines, just trying to learn and stay focused,” he said. “To go from that to being on this stage, to winning a ring with this group—it’s surreal. It’s emotional. It’s a dream come true.”
Jalen Williams, the athletic and versatile wing out of Santa Clara, also played a critical role throughout the playoff run. Known for his clutch shot-making and high basketball IQ, Williams came up big in Game 7 with 21 points, including a pivotal corner three-pointer that shifted the momentum back to Oklahoma City with just over three minutes left.
“We believed this could happen,” Williams said. “Even when people said we were too young, too inexperienced, too early in our rebuild—we didn’t care. We worked. We stayed together. And we believed.”
The Thunder’s Long Road to Glory
This championship marks the culmination of a strategic, patient rebuild spearheaded by Thunder general manager Sam Presti, who has been with the franchise since its move from Seattle in 2008. Following the departures of Kevin Durant (2016), Russell Westbrook (2019), and Paul George (2019), Oklahoma City chose to hit the reset button, stockpiling draft picks and developing young talent.
That strategy, once mocked by skeptics who doubted whether stars would stay in a small market, has paid off in spectacular fashion. This year’s title team was built largely through the draft and smart development. Alongside Holmgren and Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander blossomed into one of the league’s most feared scorers and was an MVP finalist in the 2024–25 season. His leadership, both on and off the court, was the glue that held the young team together.
The Thunder’s success also reflects the steady hand of head coach Mark Daigneault, who took over in 2020 and helped cultivate a team-first culture rooted in accountability, defense, and selflessness. Under his guidance, the Thunder became one of the league’s best defensive teams, while also ranking in the top five in assists.
“We’ve always said it’s about the process,” Daigneault told reporters after the win. “But tonight, the process met the moment. This group earned every bit of this championship.”
Game 7: A Battle to the End
Game 7 of the NBA Finals lived up to the hype. The Thunder and Pacers, two of the youngest teams ever to meet in the Finals, went back and forth in a tense, physical contest that never saw either team lead by more than eight points.
Indiana, led by Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, came out aggressive, taking a five-point lead into halftime. But the Thunder surged back in the third quarter behind strong play from Gilgeous-Alexander and a flurry of second-chance points from center Jaylin Williams. The final quarter was a defensive slugfest, with both teams struggling to convert under pressure.
In the final minute, after a clutch free throw from Luguentz Dort gave the Thunder a 3-point cushion, Indiana had two chances to tie the game—but missed back-to-back three-point attempts. Holmgren’s rebound and subsequent dunk with 12 seconds left sealed the victory and set off a deafening celebration inside the arena.
A Celebration Years in the Making
As the final buzzer sounded, Thunder fans erupted into tears and cheers, some waving team flags, others hugging strangers in the stands. Outside the arena, thousands more had gathered in Thunder Alley to watch the game on big screens. They poured into the streets, chanting “O-K-C!” and lighting up the city in a celebration not seen since the franchise’s inception.
Oklahoma City mayor David Holt declared Monday a citywide holiday, while Governor Kevin Stitt congratulated the team in a statement, calling the win “a defining moment for the state of Oklahoma.”
“This city has waited a long time for this,” said Chet Holmgren. “This isn’t just for us as players. This is for every kid who grew up watching this team, for every fan who stuck with us after the trades and tough seasons. This title belongs to them too.”
What’s Next?
The Thunder’s championship parade is scheduled for Thursday, with city officials expecting the largest crowd in Oklahoma City history. The team plans to celebrate the win with a route that winds through downtown and ends at Scissortail Park, where players, coaches, and ownership will address the fans.
Looking ahead, the Thunder’s young core remains intact, and with more draft capital and cap flexibility, many believe this could be the beginning of a dynasty. But for now, the players are just trying to savor the moment.
“Right now, we’re just soaking it all in,” said Jalen Williams. “We’ve worked so hard to get here, and now we’re champs. Nobody can take that away from us.”
As the champagne flowed in the locker room and players danced with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, it was clear: this wasn’t just a championship—it was the start of something special. A new era. A promise fulfilled.
And as Holmgren put it best: “We’re just getting started.”
